04/15/2014

The Navy announced plans today to deploy an electromagnetic railgun that can do some epic damage. Set to go into testing on one of Navy's joint high speed vessels (JHSV) in 2016, the gun uses Lorentz Force to "rapidly accelerate and launch a...

This is wild. Chasing the elusive dream of curing paralysis, a team of scientists used stem cells and optogenetics to circumvent the central motor system of lab mice whose nerves had been cut. This enabled them to blast individual motor neurons with a laser, triggering movement in the legs of the mice.

04/14/2014

Technology is great but, when it comes to awesome, nothing can beat nature. Just look at Duncan Lou Who, the famous boxer who got his two back legs amputated because of a genetic malformation. He learned to walk with his two arms—and this video shows he's now running faster than ever.

12/19/2013

The winner of The Voice Season 5 wasn't much of a surprise. As Blake Shelton predicted, the victor turned out to be the season-long frontrunner, Jamaican singer Tessanne Chin -- who was coached by Adam Levine. But producers did have an actual surprise up their sleeves for the finale: A duel performance by Lady Gaga and Christina Aguilera. In matching metallic finery and big, peroxide-blonde hair, the pair belted out Gaga's song "Do What U Want" and cozied up together on a couch. (Gaga recorded the song with R. Kelly.) Watch here:

12/15/2013

Popular Android keyboard app SwiftKey has rolled out a new beta version today with two frequently requested features. First up is emoji support, recently enabled in Google's own keyboard in the latest Android 4.4 KitKat release. Emoji can be accessed from the smiley menu in the bottom right corner, and SwiftKey says there are over 500 to choose from. What's more, SwiftKey now supports emoji prediction — type the icon you want exactly and one of the options will be an emoji. For instance —

And regular SwiftKey users might notice another change in the shot above. In SwiftKey 4.5 there's the option to add a dedicated number row above the standard keyboard rows — this can be activated from within the Themes & Layouts menu.

SwiftKey can also use emoji as part of its prediction engine, for instance, if you frequently use a certain icon after a word or name, you might start seeing it showing up in predictions. Emoji are only supported on KitKat and Jelly Bean — on the former, colored icons are used, while the latter has black and white icons.

The new beta, which also includes an updated installer, can be downloaded from the SwiftKey beta site.

Apple didn't include voice memo, weather, calculator, phone, compass, and stocks apps on the iPad, but the App Store has great alternatives for each and every one!

iPhone owners who pick up an iPad are often surprised to find that, while many things about iOS are the same, the built-in apps are not. Apple's Weather, Stocks, Calculator, Compass, Phone, and Voice Memo apps, all front-and-center on the iPhone, are nowhere to be found on the iPad Air or iPad mini. The why - that Apple perhaps didn't feel the interfaces scaled well to the big screen, or simply didn't think they were as absolutely necessary on a tablet as they are on a phone - doesn't really matter. What does matter is that the App Store has us more than covered with several excellent weather, calculator, stock, and voice memo apps for iPad to choose from. Which ones are the very best, however, and more importantly, the best for you?

Best weather apps for iPad

Since there's no iPad version of the built-in iPhone and iPod touch Weather app, if you want to find out the temperature or check the forecast on the big screen, you need to turn to the App Store. But there you run into a second problem - too many great weather apps to choose from. It's one of the most popular app categories on the store, and developers and designers have had a field day making the perfect weather apps to suit a wide range of needs. So many, in fact, choosing just the right one to suit your needs can be almost overwhelming. That's where we come in. From minimalist or power-packed, here are our favorite weather apps for iPad!

Best Stock Market apps for iPad

Even though the iPhone's built-in Stocks app is nowhere to be found on the iPad, it's still is an amazing tool for managing your finances either at home, at work, or on the go. From checking on your investments, to monitoring trends, to knowing when to buy and when to get out, when to short and when to stay long, there are ton of apps that help you do just exactly that. Which stock apps is best for you? Here are our favorites!

Best calculator apps for iPad

Apple doesn't include a Calculator app on the iPad the way they do on iPhone and iPod touch, so if you want to tally up your numbers or do complex equations, you need to go to the App Store. And that's a good thing, because there are several excellent - and different - calculators to choose from. The question is, whether you need simple arithmetic, scientific or engineering equations, or full-on graphing, which is the best calculator app for you? Here are our favorites!

Best voice memo apps for iPad

Whether you're a student attending lectures or a professional with a need to record meetings or conference calls, voice memo and audio recording apps are a must have for lots of people. While the iPhone has one built right in, the iPad does not. Luckily, the App Store more than makes up for it with plenty of very good voice memo alternatives. From basic recording to advanced annotation, which one is the best, and more specifically, which one is the best for you? Here are our favorites!

Best compass apps for iPad

Unlike the iPhone, the iPad doesn't come with a built-in Compass app. That might sound fine, since you're more likely to be out and about and in need of finding your way with an iPhone. However, the iPad is a great travel companion as well, whether you're on a business trip, out hiking, or out on the high seas. And if you have it, why not use it? Luckily the App Store is full of great compass apps for iPad, the only problem is figuring out which is the best one for you. That's where iMore comes in! These are our favorite compass apps for iPad!

Best phone apps for iPad

Apple hasn't ever included a Phone app on the iPad, and maybe that's just as well. Do we really need to see people with 7.9- or 9.7-inch devices propped up to their heads? Yet iPad owners may certainly need to make calls too, and like the giant conference phones of old, in some cases, bigger really can be better. So, if you absolutely, positively need to get your call on, and the iPad is what you want to use, you'll need to check out some alternatives. Luckily, there are several excellent voice calling apps to choose from, and one is even built-right in!

12/13/2013

The Zagg Keys Folio for iPad Air by Zagg is their newest offering for Apple's newest iPad. This case features back illumination, a full, dedicated row of iPad specific function keys, a battery meter, and an elegant and attractive design. Overall, it looks great... but does it work just as well? Let's find out!

I've been using the Zagg Keys Folio for a few days now as my main keyboard case on my iPad Air. I do a lot of writing on my iPad, especially when I want to hammer out a bunch of text without being distracted. I've written tons of articles for iMore on my iPad, including this review.

After using the Zagg Keys Folio as my main option for iPad writing, I've found that not only does it have an appealing and slim design, but it's one of the best laid out keyboards I've used thus far. Starting with the actual keyboard itself, since it is the most important part, the top row of function keys are well thought out when it comes to how we use iOS. You've got shortcut keys for the Home button, Lock button, copy/paste, Siri, volume controls, and more all within a finger's reach away. Most keyboard cases tend to use an Fn key opposed to a dedicated row and while it works, it's nowhere near as conveinent and easy to use.

The Zagg Keys Folio is also one of the only offerings I was able to find that features illuminated backlit keys. If you travel frequently or find yourself wanting to write at night, the illuminated keys are a godsend. There's been a time or two that I've been on a plane and wanted to get some writing done but didn't want to haul out my entire laptop. The iPad is just so much more convenient when space is an issue. When flying at night, seeing function keys and shortcuts isn't the easiest thing in the world. It's not an issue any longer with the backlit keys option. Tap between three different brightness settings or turn them off in just a tap. Since the backlit key option is right next to the space bar, it's easy to toggle it on and off quickly. You can even change the colors by holding down the lightbulb key while the backlight is on and tapping the left arrow key to cycle between colors.

The materials used for the case itself aren't cheap and feel high quality. The case comes in both white and black. The white version that I've been reviewing is actually two-toned white and grey. The trim that runs along the edges is a tasteful grey plastic while the interior is a faux leather white material. Over time, my only concern is whether or not the white portions will show signs of age by becoming yellowed or dingy from the oils on your hands or dirt on tabletops. That's something we'll have to wait and see about.

The good

Illuminated keys for typing in dimly lit environments, change the colors by holding down the lightbulb key and left arrow simultaneously

Battery indicator light on the keyboard that quickly tells you where you stand battery wise, not something a lot of keyboard cases feature

Slim design that still manages to add quite a bit of protection to both the front and rear of the iPad Air

Small cutouts around the dock don't seem to block sound, but project it towards you, even though the speakers are technically covered by the case

The bad

Case doesn't sit perfectly flush on the side that opens and while it isn't a huge deal, it may bother some people

Charge port doesn't take a lot of third party cables, so you most likely need to use the cable that came with your iPad Air or take off the case to charge it

Hinge design where you lift to open seems backwards to me and sits on the bottom instead of the top, but that could just be my preference more than anything

The bottom line

If you're looking for a sleek keyboard case for your iPad Air that not only adds protection but looks good while doing it, look no further than the Zagg Keys Folio. It's also one of the only options with a dedicated battery meter and illuminated backlit keys.

12/09/2013

Saddening fans who miss the old faithful dog, "Family Guy" debuted a new show intro without Brian.

Instead of the plain white pooch, a brown and white dog with a New Jersey accent named Vinny appears in his place. Check it out in the player below.

Earlier this season, Brian (voiced by Seth MacFarlane) was tragically killed when he was hit by a car in the street while playing with Stewie.

However, viewers haven't seen the last of the beloved character as Brian will return for the December 15th episode entitled "Christmas Guy." Is Brian gone for good or will Stewie get that time machine working again?